We have a huge school supply store that offers bulk crayone etc but you know 25 cents a box is still really good! Where do your teachers purchase their goodies?
If you are thinking about WalMart, call the store first and talk to someone on the Communtity/Donations Committee and see how you can work together on this. Obviously you really don't want to shop of the shelf when you are looking at 100 boxes of crayons, AND you may want to see if you can get them to help/cut the cost on other items. If it means 1000s of WalMart pencils...a pencil is just that!
Haven't really had much luck with Target.
The problem with going with someone like Target or Wal-Mart is that individual stores probably won't have enough for your needs unless you make advance arrangements with them.
I've seen some of these back rooms! They stock up on this stuff to be able to keep their costs low. Super WalMarts and Sams Club have huge storage/backrooms areas. Plus, no shipping and tax exempt!
EPI, who, you may know, sells the preassembled school supply kits, also sells in bulk. They are the only school supply kit company of which I am aware who does this.
I don't know how their prices compare to Target, Wal-Mart, etc., but it's probably worth at least a phone call. The problem with going with someone like Target or Wal-Mart is that individual stores probably won't have enough for your needs unless you make advance arrangements with them.
As for Staples, you could see if you could use Blackboard Bucks cards (there's info about that program somewhere on this site...) to further reduce your cost.
peetz. I just checked out the us school supply site and pulled out some receipts. Walmarts prices beat these prices by alot. For example they had 24 count crayola crayons, you can get 12 for 21.00 something but I paid 25 cents at Walmart. I also compared markers and paper and there was a huge difference. Anything i checked there was a difference...just to let you know
"When you stop learning you stop growing."
These suggestions have been very helpful. I didn't realize Walmart would let you order something in bulk like these items. While we don't have a Walmart real nearby, if we end up saving lots of money, it's worth the trip there to pick up the supplies! I did happen to see US School supply last night after I posted this. Their prices look great, but wondering if a Walmart actually does better with their pricing?
For the past several years we have placed and order with Walmart. We order in bulk, and get a great rate and just round to the nearest cent to sell back to the kids (not to make much profit). For example, crayons might be 32 cents so we'll sell them back for 35 cents.
